Ruth Boynton, ca. 1925.

In this segment of MN90: Minnesota History in 90 seconds, Britt Aamodt tells the story of the 1918 influenza epidemic in Minnesota.

Stoneware bottle created between 1846 and 1866. It has been refitted from multiple sherds and was found during excavation of the walled cnclosure behind the sutler's store at Historic Fort Snelling in 1969.

This bottle has a circular seal stamped just below the shoulder. On it the word "SELTERS" surrounds the image of a crowned lion standing on its hind legs. Stamped below this are the words "HERZOGTHUM NASSAU." These marks identify the former contents as mineral water from the Niederselters spring in the Duchy of Nassau, located in the modern state of Hesse Germany. The spring produced naturally carbonated water, and by the late eighteenth century, it was bottled and exported worldwide. By the nineteenth century it was so well known that one of our generic terms for carbonated water—seltzer—derives from Selters. During this period, mineral water was widely regarded as an effective cure for a host of ailments.

A granite headstone at Anoka State Hospital installed by Remembering With Dignity. The old patient-number slab remains above it. Photograph by Sasha D. Warren, 2019. CC BY-NC 4.0.

Granite headstones produced by Remembering With Dignity await installation at the Fergus Falls State Hospital Cemetery. Photograph by Sasha D. Warren, 2019. CC BY-NC 4.0.

A gate and walkway installed at Anoka State Hospital cemetery by Remembering With Dignity. Below, with flowers, is a block with the words, “Remembering With Dignity.” Photograph by Sasha D. Warren, 2019. CC BY-NC 4.0.

A portion of a map, created in 1885, showing the patient numbers and names of people buried at Rochester State Hospital and their burial locations. From Rochester State Hospital cemetery records, available at the Minnesota Historical Society library as Location F612.O59 R6679 2002.

Portion of a death and burial record from Faribault State Hospital covering 1881–1883. From a one-volume record of burials at the institution, 1881–1924. In box 109.H.7.1B of Faribault State School and Hospital death and burial records, 1881–1996. State Archives, Minnesota Historical Society, St. Paul.

Page from an alphabetical index to burials in Hastings State Hospital cemetery covering 1901–1964. From box 104.E.1.4F of Hastings State Hospital cemetery records, 1953–1999. State Archives, Minnesota Historical Society, St. Paul.

A 1967 plat map of the Hastings State Hospital's cemetery grounds showing the grave numbers, patient medical file numbers, and the locations of graves. From A3/OV4, drawer 6, of Hastings State Hospital cemetery records, 1953–1999. State Archives, Minnesota Historical Society, St. Paul.